Search found 89 matches

by Samir
03 Aug 2007 01:45
Forum: Military Exercises Archive
Topic: Exercise Indradhanush (Rainbow) '07 @ RAF Waddington, UK
Replies: 347
Views: 183954

Folks, this thread has been cleaned up and the trash taken out. Stick to discussions of ID.
by Samir
08 Jul 2007 00:35
Forum: Military Exercises Archive
Topic: Exercise Indradhanush (Rainbow) '07 @ RAF Waddington, UK
Replies: 347
Views: 183954

Jcage: I think he meant that on the first day it was all just combat profiles (1-v-1) and no strike profiles (i.e., I think "close combat" was being used as an imprecise term for aircombat).
by Samir
08 Jul 2007 00:03
Forum: Military Exercises Archive
Topic: Exercise Indradhanush (Rainbow) '07 @ RAF Waddington, UK
Replies: 347
Views: 183954

JCage - As far as I can make out - only a combination of BVR and WVR with Typhoons.

Also: I've just forwarded on an email/chat above.
by Samir
07 Jul 2007 23:42
Forum: Military Exercises Archive
Topic: Exercise Indradhanush (Rainbow) '07 @ RAF Waddington, UK
Replies: 347
Views: 183954

Here is a description to add to my earlier post (forwarded): The typhoon and the Su-30 was a kind of stand off in the 1 vs 1.. the Su-30 in any case is not meant for that sort of fight in the first place..AWACS are being used..the typhoons biggest advantage is light weight i.e., high thrust to weigh...
by Samir
05 Jul 2007 19:54
Forum: Military Exercises Archive
Topic: Exercise Indradhanush (Rainbow) '07 @ RAF Waddington, UK
Replies: 347
Views: 183954

So far the Typhoons and Su-30s have been pretty much at a standoff in 1-v-1s (AWACS used as well). They have different strengths (enabling their respective pilots to either create an offensive situation to their advantage or exit from a defensive one with ease). Tons more to go - the routines will g...
by Samir
30 Sep 2006 19:41
Forum: Military Issues & History Forum
Topic: The IAF History Thread
Replies: 1171
Views: 316541

Very interesting clip. Pilots bragging is nothing new and I dare say, similar tapes could have been made on any base during any war. A certain amount of pysching up is necessary - so long as it doesn't lead to a situation where you go into an operation really believing your opponent is going to run ...
by Samir
18 Aug 2006 07:12
Forum: Military Issues & History Forum
Topic: The IAF History Thread
Replies: 1171
Views: 316541

According to one version of the shootout story that I heard (allegedly narrated by Nachiketa to a fellow pilot), he was blazing away, ran out of rounds, slumped down out of sight, and then felt a rifle jammed into his head from behind - he had been approached from the rear while the gun battle was g...
by Samir
09 Aug 2006 16:54
Forum: Military Issues & History Forum
Topic: The IAF History Thread
Replies: 1171
Views: 316541

Thanks. Coming back to history, does anyone know why SDRE Alam stayed back in the PAF while Bengalis like Azam and Shaukat joined the BAF? Alam culturally may not have been a bengali. It has been reported he was a bihari muslim (the same types who went razakar during the mil crackdown in 71) Though...
by Samir
30 Jul 2006 22:53
Forum: Military Issues & History Forum
Topic: Magazine and Media Watch/Review
Replies: 294
Views: 121471

Indian Express does a two-page spread on the 1965 war book:

http://www.indianexpress.com/sunday/story/9548.html
by Samir
10 Mar 2006 04:12
Forum: Military History Archive
Topic: The Bharat Rakshak IAF History Projects
Replies: 27
Views: 21787

Taaliyan, shabash, congratulations. Thanks very much Philbert. Folks, may I suggest the open source model for building BR History Projects? Don't just write in with suggestions for features. Write in with 'bug fixes'. Pick something you can help out with, even a little bit, and we'll see how we can ...
by Samir
08 Mar 2006 19:56
Forum: Military History Archive
Topic: The Bharat Rakshak IAF History Projects
Replies: 27
Views: 21787

Mandeep, interviewing AM Randhir Singh would be awesome. He ran a tight ship at Adampur during the 71 Ops (Randhir Air Force!). His perspective would be very useful. Questionnaire on the way!

Thanks,
Samir
by Samir
07 Mar 2006 17:52
Forum: Military History Archive
Topic: The Bharat Rakshak IAF History Projects
Replies: 27
Views: 21787

There is obviously no restriction on people helping out with Army or Navy Veterans. Jagan and I are concentrating on the the IAF, but if BRF members could do something similar for Army/Navy vets (collecting exactly the same kind of information we are looking for), and send it to the Army/Navy webmas...
by Samir
07 Mar 2006 10:40
Forum: Military History Archive
Topic: The Bharat Rakshak IAF History Projects
Replies: 27
Views: 21787

The Bharat Rakshak IAF History Projects

Folks, Jagan and I would like to send out a call for help with with the several IAF history projects that we are working on. Histories are written slowly, painfully, and rely a great deal on the patient accumulation of information. We need all the help we can get. The following page provides links t...
by Samir
07 Dec 2005 05:51
Forum: Military Exercises Archive
Topic: Cope India 2005 - Kalaikunda AFS - Part II
Replies: 254
Views: 152796

The thread has been cleaned up. Please get back to on-topic discussions.
by Samir
30 Nov 2005 23:13
Forum: Military Exercises Archive
Topic: Cope India 2005 - Kalaikunda AFS - Part II
Replies: 254
Views: 152796

Jagan wrote: I wouldn't really be surprised if it happens. Already Transport COs are Gp Capts. And the recce sqn CO too.
I've heard rumours too, that the MiG-25 Sqn and the EW squadrons are commanded by G/Cs.
by Samir
30 Nov 2005 23:09
Forum: Military Exercises Archive
Topic: Cope India 2005 - Kalaikunda AFS - Part II
Replies: 254
Views: 152796

Yeah, I agree, its bound to happen down the line. Imagine a W/C at 13 years, as opposed to the old 16 years or so (its not time bound, but as a rough estimate). If he get his next rank in 4-5 years (not impossible) he could be CO as he gets his G/C rank. I'm willing to bet good money that some curre...
by Samir
29 Nov 2005 22:36
Forum: Military Exercises Archive
Topic: Cope India 2005 - Kalaikunda AFS - Part II
Replies: 254
Views: 152796

Yeah, I don't doubt it. And I don't doubt that picking up the Su-30 visually is easy either. What a beast that thing is.

40 years on, the Gnat's small size is still worth thinking about when you consider its effectiveness as an A2A creature (and its insane thrust-weight ratio).
by Samir
29 Nov 2005 21:59
Forum: Military Exercises Archive
Topic: Cope India 2005 - Kalaikunda AFS - Part II
Replies: 254
Views: 152796

Well, all good things come to an end. Its pretty sad that Moose and Ragin' disappeared from both boards. I personally think Moose was quite innocent - and amazed to see him apologizing, with all the lecturing that was going on. I think his confusion is easily understood. The F-16 guys bought over on...
by Samir
29 Nov 2005 03:52
Forum: Military Exercises Archive
Topic: Cope India 2005 - Kalaikunda AFS - Part II
Replies: 254
Views: 152796

Well, about two pages gone from the F16.net thread. Too good to last? Very interesting. I hope someone saved some of those pages.
by Samir
27 Nov 2005 19:22
Forum: Military Exercises Archive
Topic: Cope India 2005 - Kalaikunda AFS - Part II
Replies: 254
Views: 152796

Whoeee - the gen levels in that F16.net thread are awesome. Great reading - we should archive that thread :)
by Samir
26 Nov 2005 19:15
Forum: Military Exercises Archive
Topic: Cope India 2005 - Kalaikunda AFS - Part II
Replies: 254
Views: 152796

You know what is really advanced about the USAF? Their pilots can go on a BB, right after they have completed an exercise, and talk about it, and post photos. Wow, if one of our pilots tried that, the IAF would expel his kid from Air Force School, make his wife dance at the AFWWA dinner, and add 500...
by Samir
23 Nov 2005 21:45
Forum: Military History Archive
Topic: Book: The India-Pak Air War of 1965 - Details & Reviews
Replies: 93
Views: 64903

Using decoys is common strategy - employed by everyone and anyone for as long as warfare has been around. The most massively successful decoy operation was carried out prior to the D-Day landings (nature and target of landing)
by Samir
16 Nov 2005 02:33
Forum: Military Exercises Archive
Topic: Cope India 2005 - Kalaikunda AFS - Part I
Replies: 337
Views: 179354

During the Alaskan exercises, IAF Jags flew to the edge of sanitized airspace and then ingressed to carry out strikes. One day, AWACS cover broke down - mass confusion reigned. No problems, the Jags went ahead and did their strikes and came back to base. Debriefings were in disarray. Our desi boys w...
by Samir
15 Nov 2005 22:58
Forum: Military Exercises Archive
Topic: Cope India 2005 - Kalaikunda AFS - Part I
Replies: 337
Views: 179354

A random tidbit for those who worry about the standing of IAF personnel in flying terms or gen levels: In the 1970-71 time frame, W/C Harsharan Singh 'High Speed' Gill, CO of 47 Sqn, (later to receive a posthumous Vir Chakra for a raid on Badin), did a aerobatics display in a MiG-21 for the visiting...
by Samir
10 Nov 2005 16:45
Forum: Military Exercises Archive
Topic: Cope India 2005 - Kalaikunda AFS - Part I
Replies: 337
Views: 179354

Its Cope India 06 because the USAF is so advanced, that by the time the IAF is done interacting with them, they will have been propelled into the next year. Or perhaps its like a cricket season: Cope India 2005-2006? On a more serious note, I'm looking forward to the mixed formation photos that the ...
by Samir
10 Nov 2005 09:33
Forum: Military Exercises Archive
Topic: Cope India 2005 - Kalaikunda AFS - Part I
Replies: 337
Views: 179354

Ved,

Pardon me while I continue to feel depressed. My little remark was more ironic than literal. But the IAF's access policy to bases and flying areas is skewed and I will not discuss it on this forum.

Cheers,
Samir
by Samir
09 Nov 2005 23:04
Forum: Military Exercises Archive
Topic: Cope India 2005 - Kalaikunda AFS - Part I
Replies: 337
Views: 179354

The IAF should just say to the USAF - "hey, when we got this base from you, it was already this dirty"
by Samir
09 Nov 2005 22:54
Forum: Military Exercises Archive
Topic: Cope India 2005 - Kalaikunda AFS - Part I
Replies: 337
Views: 179354

Given the IAF's notoriously poor PR, I'm not surprised that photos/articles like this are flying around (no pun intended) from the USAF while all we get from the IAF is the usual boilerplate stuff. Maybe there is more coverage available on Indian television but I doubt it. And notice how USAF person...
by Samir
27 Oct 2005 19:28
Forum: Military History Archive
Topic: Book: The India-Pak Air War of 1965 - Details & Reviews
Replies: 93
Views: 64903

YIP, Thanks very much for the detailed comments. They are very useful. Both suggestions are good ones. The command to target assignment system is yet to be brought out clearly and in this war, certainly needs some more investigation. The all-important "command task" - the who, when, where,...
by Samir
26 Oct 2005 22:54
Forum: Military History Archive
Topic: Book: The India-Pak Air War of 1965 - Details & Reviews
Replies: 93
Views: 64903

Rediff has posted excerpts from the book (and described it as "seminal" :)) at the following links: (descriptions included below) http://us.rediff.com/news/2005/oct/26spec1.htm?q=np&file=.htm The Rediff Special/PVS Jaganmohan and Samir Chopra On a wing and a prayer October 26, 2005 The...
by Samir
26 Oct 2005 22:30
Forum: Military Issues & History Forum
Topic: 1965 India Pakistan War: Forty Years Since
Replies: 99
Views: 75750

Daulat,

You are right, printer's devil strikes again. The figure should actually be 1500 feet - don't ask how it became 300. But I think there was some confusion between two different sources for this story and hence this error.

Thanks very much,
Samir
by Samir
25 Oct 2005 19:08
Forum: Military Issues & History Forum
Topic: 1965 India Pakistan War: Forty Years Since
Replies: 99
Views: 75750

A cross-post of one of Jagan's posts in another thread: (the latest issue of Vayu Aerospace Review carries the following articles on the 1965 war): Tank Busting : An article on the initial days of ops by Air Marshal Trilochan Singh. Pathankot Strike : first person account of the raid by Air Commodor...
by Samir
22 Oct 2005 23:45
Forum: Military History Archive
Topic: Book: The India-Pak Air War of 1965 - Details & Reviews
Replies: 93
Views: 64903

The Vayu Aerospace Review (written by Gp Capt JC Malik) is now up at:

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Books/Media-Vayu.html

(the page also features a scan of the cover - two Su-30 jocks climbing aboard their steed).
by Samir
19 Oct 2005 22:47
Forum: Military History Archive
Topic: Book: The India-Pak Air War of 1965 - Details & Reviews
Replies: 93
Views: 64903

The latest Vayu Aerospace Review carries a review of our book. Jagan will post excerpts or the entire thing if possible very soon.
by Samir
18 Oct 2005 00:03
Forum: Military Issues & History Forum
Topic: 1965 India Pakistan War: Forty Years Since
Replies: 99
Views: 75750

Interesting piece by Jasjit Singh - a little spice for the "why didn't the PA carry on to Akhnur" question.
by Samir
28 Sep 2005 18:44
Forum: Military History Archive
Topic: Book: The India-Pak Air War of 1965 - Details & Reviews
Replies: 93
Views: 64903

For those that subscribe to the DDM view of Indian journalism when it comes to military matters, or military history, its worth pointing out that India Today simply refused to review our book. Just like that. Couldn't be bothered apparently.
by Samir
26 Sep 2005 23:58
Forum: Military History Archive
Topic: Book: The India-Pak Air War of 1965 - Details & Reviews
Replies: 93
Views: 64903

Sanjay,

Thanks for your comments. We still need more reviews of the book in mainstream media of course, so that people can have a real debate on some of the material covered in the book.

Cheers,
Samir
by Samir
26 Sep 2005 18:49
Forum: Military History Archive
Topic: Book: The India-Pak Air War of 1965 - Details & Reviews
Replies: 93
Views: 64903

The following letter was sent to the Telegraph on Friday. No acknowledgement thus far: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dear Editor, We thank Kaushik Roy for his review ("Some Plane Truths", Telegraph, Friday September 23rd, 2005). We would lik...
by Samir
24 Sep 2005 02:18
Forum: Military History Archive
Topic: Book: The India-Pak Air War of 1965 - Details & Reviews
Replies: 93
Views: 64903

Please note that the book page (http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Books) has been updated with maps of Eastern and Western Sectors.
by Samir
23 Sep 2005 20:23
Forum: Military History Archive
Topic: Book: The India-Pak Air War of 1965 - Details & Reviews
Replies: 93
Views: 64903

I am in the process of constructing a letter - to clear up confusions created by the reviewer.